A victim of the greyhound racing SHEFFIELD: THE MOST DANGEROUS DOG TRACK IN BRITAIN?

Help us launch campaign against greyhound racing at Owlerton

Below is a statement issued by Greyhound Watch, who carry out research into the dog racing industry.

In view of this, we are appealing for volunteers to come forward, so that we can launch a campaign of leafletting/demonstrations against greyhound racing at Sheffield's Owlerton Stadium.

So, if you live in or near the South Yorks area, and would be interested in taking part in such a campaign, please contact us, as soon as possible, at info@greyhoundaction.org.uk or on 01562 700 043.

Tony Peters, UK Co-ordinator, Greyhound Action

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The latest research compiled by Greyhound Watch would suggest Owlerton Stadium, Sheffield, is one of the most dangerous greyhound tracks in Britain.

Last year (07) stewards at Owlerton recorded greyhounds either lame or 'broke-down' 309 times excluding trials; a figure covering a total of 272 dogs. For 141 of the greyhounds it was to be their last race.

It is likely many of the above dogs were later homed. It is also likely many were put-to-sleep. Racing Manager Lee Duffy has refused to give any figure for greyhounds PTS following injury but was adamant such action is only taken in extreme cases.

A track official, however, has given information that would suggest otherwise: Dogs PTS at Owlerton last month (July 08) include Mail Madness and Work Of Art. The former fractured a wrist bone and Work of Art suffered a hock fracture in a trial.

Both injuries are very common within greyhound racing and treatable. Both, however, are slow to heal and likely to impair the animals track time. As a result, greyhounds that incur this type of injury are usual 'put-down'.

It is also thought the total figure for greyhounds injured at Owlerton last year is far higher than 309. Injuries in trials forms a significant proportion of any such figure and Greyhound Watch believe track stewards failed to indicate many injuries sustained.

And race results to date, point towards an increase in injuries for 2008. In July alone stewards recorded 37 greyhounds lame and 6 not finishing but with a race time not given for 19 runners the latter figure is likely many more.

There is, however, no such thing as a safe track and the number of injuries as a percentage of races held will not differ greatly across the country.

Nationally, the scale of injuries has remained one of the most sensitive subjects within greyhound racing and one that industry officials remain very tight-lipped about.

The main organisation collecting such data is the Racecourse Promoters Association (RCPA) who has turned down all requests for information. The National Greyhound Racing Club (NGRC) hold figures relating to greyhounds PTS following injury but are equally guarded.

But with research indicating a five figure number for injuries incurred annually on the 30 official British tracks and hundreds of greyhounds PTS solely on economic grounds the information would, of course, prove highly damaging for the business of greyhound racing.

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